FNP Certification Exam Prep 2025/2026 – Complete Review
Questions
Course for All Versions (AANP & ANCC)
And Correct Detailed Answers (Verified
Answers) |Already Graded A+.
1. Which of the following is the most common cause of chronic
cough in adults?
A) Asthma
B) Post-nasal drip
C) Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
D) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Answer: B) Post-nasal drip
Rationale: Post-nasal drip is the most common cause of chronic cough
in adults. It is typically triggered by upper respiratory tract infections or
allergies. The mucus irritates the throat and airway, leading to coughing.
Asthma, GERD, and COPD are other causes but less common.
2. A 65-year-old patient presents with a blood pressure of 160/100
mmHg. Which of the following is the first-line treatment for
hypertension in this patient?
A) Calcium channel blockers
B) Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors)
C) Diuretics
D) Beta-blockers
Answer: B) Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors)
Rationale: ACE inhibitors are considered first-line treatment for
,hypertension, especially in older adults, as they reduce the risk of
cardiovascular events. Diuretics, calcium channel blockers, and beta-
blockers may be considered based on other comorbidities.
3. A patient with diabetes presents with a complaint of new-onset
visual disturbances. On examination, the patient has a "cotton-
wool" spot in the retina. Which of the following is the most likely
cause of this finding?
A) Diabetic retinopathy
B) Hypertensive retinopathy
C) Macular degeneration
D) Retinal detachment
Answer: A) Diabetic retinopathy
Rationale: Cotton-wool spots are an indication of ischemia in the retinal
microvasculature, a hallmark of diabetic retinopathy. Hypertensive
retinopathy can also cause changes in the retina but typically involves
other signs such as arteriovenous nicking and flame hemorrhages.
4. A 45-year-old patient presents with a red, swollen, and painful
toe. The joint is hot to the touch, and the patient has a history of
elevated uric acid levels. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Rheumatoid arthritis
B) Gout
C) Osteoarthritis
D) Psoriatic arthritis
Answer: B) Gout
Rationale: Gout is caused by the deposition of uric acid crystals in the
joint, often leading to acute pain, swelling, and erythema, especially in
the big toe. The history of elevated uric acid levels supports this
,diagnosis. Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis typically involve
different joint patterns, and psoriatic arthritis has a distinctive skin
manifestation.
5. Which of the following is a common side effect of statin therapy?
A) Muscle pain
B) Weight gain
C) Increased appetite
D) Insomnia
Answer: A) Muscle pain
Rationale: Statins can cause muscle pain (myopathy), a common side
effect that may progress to rhabdomyolysis in severe cases. Weight gain,
increased appetite, and insomnia are not typical side effects of statins.
6. A patient presents with a history of chest pain and shortness of
breath on exertion. An ECG shows ST-segment depression. Which
of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Acute myocardial infarction
B) Unstable angina
C) Stable angina
D) Pericarditis
Answer: C) Stable angina
Rationale: Stable angina is characterized by chest pain and shortness of
breath, often triggered by exertion. ST-segment depression on an ECG
typically occurs during episodes of stable angina due to ischemia.
Unstable angina and acute myocardial infarction are more severe and
present with more persistent symptoms.
, 7. A 60-year-old patient with a history of hypertension and smoking
presents with persistent hoarseness. Which of the following is the
most likely cause of this symptom?
A) Laryngitis
B) Throat cancer
C) Vocal cord nodules
D) Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Answer: B) Throat cancer
Rationale: Persistent hoarseness in an older smoker, especially one with
hypertension, raises suspicion for throat cancer (laryngeal cancer).
GERD, laryngitis, and vocal cord nodules are other potential causes but
less likely to cause persistent symptoms without other contributing
factors.
8. A 30-year-old female presents with a butterfly-shaped rash on her
face, along with joint pain and fatigue. Which of the following tests
would be most helpful in confirming the diagnosis?
A) Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibodies
B) Antinuclear antibodies (ANA)
C) Rheumatoid factor
D) C-reactive protein (CRP)
Answer: B) Antinuclear antibodies (ANA)
Rationale: The butterfly-shaped rash, along with joint pain and fatigue,
suggests systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The ANA test is the most
helpful in confirming the diagnosis. Anti-CCP antibodies are more
specific for rheumatoid arthritis, and CRP is an inflammation marker,
not specific for lupus.
Questions
Course for All Versions (AANP & ANCC)
And Correct Detailed Answers (Verified
Answers) |Already Graded A+.
1. Which of the following is the most common cause of chronic
cough in adults?
A) Asthma
B) Post-nasal drip
C) Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
D) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Answer: B) Post-nasal drip
Rationale: Post-nasal drip is the most common cause of chronic cough
in adults. It is typically triggered by upper respiratory tract infections or
allergies. The mucus irritates the throat and airway, leading to coughing.
Asthma, GERD, and COPD are other causes but less common.
2. A 65-year-old patient presents with a blood pressure of 160/100
mmHg. Which of the following is the first-line treatment for
hypertension in this patient?
A) Calcium channel blockers
B) Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors)
C) Diuretics
D) Beta-blockers
Answer: B) Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors)
Rationale: ACE inhibitors are considered first-line treatment for
,hypertension, especially in older adults, as they reduce the risk of
cardiovascular events. Diuretics, calcium channel blockers, and beta-
blockers may be considered based on other comorbidities.
3. A patient with diabetes presents with a complaint of new-onset
visual disturbances. On examination, the patient has a "cotton-
wool" spot in the retina. Which of the following is the most likely
cause of this finding?
A) Diabetic retinopathy
B) Hypertensive retinopathy
C) Macular degeneration
D) Retinal detachment
Answer: A) Diabetic retinopathy
Rationale: Cotton-wool spots are an indication of ischemia in the retinal
microvasculature, a hallmark of diabetic retinopathy. Hypertensive
retinopathy can also cause changes in the retina but typically involves
other signs such as arteriovenous nicking and flame hemorrhages.
4. A 45-year-old patient presents with a red, swollen, and painful
toe. The joint is hot to the touch, and the patient has a history of
elevated uric acid levels. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Rheumatoid arthritis
B) Gout
C) Osteoarthritis
D) Psoriatic arthritis
Answer: B) Gout
Rationale: Gout is caused by the deposition of uric acid crystals in the
joint, often leading to acute pain, swelling, and erythema, especially in
the big toe. The history of elevated uric acid levels supports this
,diagnosis. Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis typically involve
different joint patterns, and psoriatic arthritis has a distinctive skin
manifestation.
5. Which of the following is a common side effect of statin therapy?
A) Muscle pain
B) Weight gain
C) Increased appetite
D) Insomnia
Answer: A) Muscle pain
Rationale: Statins can cause muscle pain (myopathy), a common side
effect that may progress to rhabdomyolysis in severe cases. Weight gain,
increased appetite, and insomnia are not typical side effects of statins.
6. A patient presents with a history of chest pain and shortness of
breath on exertion. An ECG shows ST-segment depression. Which
of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Acute myocardial infarction
B) Unstable angina
C) Stable angina
D) Pericarditis
Answer: C) Stable angina
Rationale: Stable angina is characterized by chest pain and shortness of
breath, often triggered by exertion. ST-segment depression on an ECG
typically occurs during episodes of stable angina due to ischemia.
Unstable angina and acute myocardial infarction are more severe and
present with more persistent symptoms.
, 7. A 60-year-old patient with a history of hypertension and smoking
presents with persistent hoarseness. Which of the following is the
most likely cause of this symptom?
A) Laryngitis
B) Throat cancer
C) Vocal cord nodules
D) Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Answer: B) Throat cancer
Rationale: Persistent hoarseness in an older smoker, especially one with
hypertension, raises suspicion for throat cancer (laryngeal cancer).
GERD, laryngitis, and vocal cord nodules are other potential causes but
less likely to cause persistent symptoms without other contributing
factors.
8. A 30-year-old female presents with a butterfly-shaped rash on her
face, along with joint pain and fatigue. Which of the following tests
would be most helpful in confirming the diagnosis?
A) Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibodies
B) Antinuclear antibodies (ANA)
C) Rheumatoid factor
D) C-reactive protein (CRP)
Answer: B) Antinuclear antibodies (ANA)
Rationale: The butterfly-shaped rash, along with joint pain and fatigue,
suggests systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The ANA test is the most
helpful in confirming the diagnosis. Anti-CCP antibodies are more
specific for rheumatoid arthritis, and CRP is an inflammation marker,
not specific for lupus.
